BENGALURU, May 28 : Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Thursday resigned from the Karnataka Chief Minister’s position, two days after the party high command asked him to step down, ending days of intense power tussle with deputy D K Shivkumar and clearing the way for the leadership change in the state.
Flanked by his deputy and probable successor Shivakumar, and other cabinet colleagues, Siddaramaiah addressed a packed press conference shortly after submitting his resignation to the Governor’s Special Secretary at Lok Bhavan here. Special Secretary Prabhu Shankar received the resignation in the absence of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who was out of the state.
“I have tendered my resignation from the Chief Minister’s post,” the 77-year-old leader told reporters, while expressing confidence that the Governor would accept his resignation as per constitutional provisions.
Siddaramaiah also said that he had made it clear time and again that he would resign whenever the high command instructed him to do so.
“The high command directed me two days ago to step down, and accordingly, I submitted my resignation today. I got the opportunity to serve the people of Karnataka twice, for which I thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge,” he said.
He claimed that he “politely declined” the Congress high command’s Rajya Sabha seat offer, asserting that he would remain in active politics for at least the remaining two years of his term as Varuna constituency MLA.
“The high command asked me to go to the Rajya Sabha. I declined it humbly. I am not interested in national politics. I will remain in state politics. The people have elected me for five years, and two years are still left. Till then, I will work for the people of Karnataka and for my constituency,” he said.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah’s supporters staged protests in several parts of the state against his resignation.
Emotional scenes were witnessed at Siddaramaiah’s official residence here, as a large group of supporters almost surrounded him, asking him not to resign. The chief minister tried to comfort them.
Celebrations were seen near Shivakumar’s residence following indications that he will be the next chief minister of the state. Several Congress leaders and legislators visited Shivakumar’s residence to greet him.
Shortly after the press conference, sources said, Siddaramaiah left for New Delhi, where he is likely to meet the Congress high command regarding his successor and the cabinet formation exercise.
Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, also left for Delhi, his office said.
According to party sources, discussions related to selecting a new legislature party leader, ministry composition, and other modalities, including the state Congress President post, which is currently held by Shivakumar, are likely to be discussed with the high command during the Delhi visit. They said clarity may emerge on all these in a day or two.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the coveted chief minister’s post after Congress won the May 2023 Assembly election. The party then managed to convince Shivakumar and made him the deputy CM.
Reports at the time suggested a compromise based on a “rotational chief minister formula,” under which Shivakumar would become CM after two-and-a-half years, but there was no official confirmation from the party or the two leaders.
Earlier in the day at a breakfast hosted at his residence for cabinet colleagues, Siddaramaiah informed ministers of his decision to step down and stated that Shivakumar would be his successor, as per the directions of the Congress high command, said several ministers, who were present during the meeting.
When questioned about the next Chief Minister during the press conference, Siddaramaiah said, “whoever the legislature party and the high command decides will be the Chief Minister of the state.”
Asked about Shivakumar becoming chief minister, his brother and former Congress MP D K Suresh said, “Let’s all wait for the party decision.”
In a picture shared by the Chief Minister’s Office from the breakfast meeting, Siddaramaiah was seen hugging an emotional Shivakumar. In another, Shivakumar was seen touching the feet of Siddaramaiah and taking his blessings.
A few ministers became emotional during the breakfast meeting, according to sources.
Siddaramaiah shared an emotional message thanking the people of Karnataka for their love and support during his tenure as chief minister. He also posted on X a photograph of himself standing on a stage with folded hands before a gathering in a gesture of gratitude.
He wrote, “Thank you. Your love. Your trust. My forever strength.” The message appeared on the photograph carrying his signature.
Some sources indicate Siddaramaiah decided to step down because the message came directly from top party leader Rahul Gandhi.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were summoned to Delhi on Tuesday by the party, where there were back-to-back meetings at the Congress headquarters involving Rahul Gandhi, AICC President Kharge, party General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala.
During the press conference, Siddaramaiah asserted that he had never compromised on values and ideology and had never run after power or money. Also, he had never thought about accumulating wealth, and his political career of 50 years was an open book. (PTI)
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